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thecriticalreader's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Review:
Admittedly, it took me nearly 200 pages to really start to get used to Matrix by Lauren Groff and its poetic, fluid, somewhat stream-of-consciousness writing style as well as its unique storyline that often produces more questions than answers. Even then, it was not until the end of the story that I fully appreciated the book for what it is. At the heart of the story is the character of Marie, an admirable but flawed nun whose ambition leads her to transform a starving, poor abbey into a magnificent, self-sustaining wealthy fortress. Marie’s character arc is wonderfully executed, and I appreciated the large cast of supporting characters as well.
My favorite part of Matrix, however, is its thematic exploration of religion, feminism, ambition, power, sapphic love, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. This is the sort of book that I could read many times over and glean new meaning each time; it is the type of book that begs to be analyzed in a literature class. Groff trusts in the intelligence of her readers and never oversimplifies or hits the reader over the head in order to make her point.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Matrix if:
· You go into the book with an open mind
· You are someone who is interested in themes of religion and queerness
· You enjoy poetic writing styles
You might not like Matrix if:
· You dislike flowery writing and fluid plot structure
· You prefer exciting plots and clear explanations for events
A Similar Book:
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladsone. Similarities between these books include:
· Beautiful, lyrical, intelligent prose
· Friend/enemy relationship between two strong women from different worlds
· Themes of feminism, queerness and humanity’s relation to the natural world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Moderate: Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, and Classism
Minor: Excrement, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Infidelity, Death of parent, Violence, War, Torture, and Toxic friendship
5aru's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A study in character with little plot and lots of vibes, Matrix is a deeply fascinating look into the life of a woman who learned to turn her strength into realized ambition, even through the limitations imposed upon her. Through this reinvented, little-known historical figure, Groff builds the image of a complex and fire-hearted woman through excellent, insightful writing. Driven by passion, Marie is consumed by visions of grandeur and a faith that goes against the grain of religious teachings; yet she is nonetheless guided in all things by the deep love that she learns to foster for her fellow abbey sisters — who, in turn, become sisters in much more than a mere title. The novel thus becomes a multi-faceted rendering of a community sheltered from the patriarchal, masculine world of the time, as well as of how womanhood and sisterhood grow within the confines of faith.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Animal death, and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexism
piastri's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
oh i could say something about the beauty of women crafting their own ideas of religion based on their own love and life or about how this book means the world to me as a sapphic woman currently grappling with religion and what it means in my life, but lauren groff stole it all with her beautiful prose
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Animal death, and Misogyny
Minor: Cancer
sealreads's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Definitely longer than it needed to be, but still an awesome book. Great commentary on trying to fit into patriarchal societies as a woman.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Animal death, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
sodanisays's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Animal death, Cancer, Death of parent, Rape, and Miscarriage
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, and Animal death
Minor: Pregnancy
laurajeangrace's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Animal death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Violence, War, and Sexism
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
challenging
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I don’t usually like books that don’t use quotation marks because it confuses me and I end up rereading sentences. The writing and prose was beautiful; I have many passages marked!
It could be a bit slow for my liking and the second half was harder to get through. I liked the references to Melusine, who I’ve heard about prior when reading other books about the war of the roses!
I thought the ending was really well done. Overall an enjoyable read that I devoured in three days despite being slow for my taste! I had read one of Geoff’s works earlier in the year and hated it so I’m happy I gave her a second chance. I’m curious now to see how I like her other works. Highly recommend if you like stories about powerful women challenging that status quo (especially in the world of religion)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexism, Rape, Torture, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Grief, Child death, and Animal death
Minor: Violence
sparklefarm's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's taken me a while to review this because I don't completely know how I feel! It's not the type of book I usually read, but it really stuck with me, and every time I got into my car I was excited to get back to my nuns. Most of all this story is strong, almost as strong and complex as Marie herself.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Rape
ciaomara's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gonna be frank, this book is actually kind of a bummer. I think it was good, but I can’t say I enjoyed myself while reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, and Cancer
Moderate: Sexual assault, War, Rape, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent